Being politically correct is a tricky thing. Too soon, people want to label you as someone only wanting to please the masses by toeing the line. In some cases, being politically correct is downright fine in my book. Case in point, fur...or wearing faux fur. With the advances in technology, you can wear fur without having to kill another animal...so, saying goodbye to your bad conscience has never been easier. These photographs only prove that you can even wear three degrees of fur in a fashionable, ethical way...and team your jacket with velvet jogging trousers and a Scandanavian white t-shirt for more effect, like this streetstyler in Manchester! Thank you Maya for posing for me. 

Sightseeing makes you thirsty and I don't like nipping into a Starbucks just to hold their infamous paper cup. If I can, then I like to combine sightseeing AND a break and this led me to Pot Kettle Black in the gorgeous Victorian Barton Arcade in Manchester. Here, it is bright, the light streaming in from the glass panelled ceiling, and it is ultra-hip with minimal decorations and surprisingly friendly service (always a good thing!). Just the ticket for a coffee break when you just want to get away from the crowds...this coffee shop offers you a tourist-friendly experience without the dreaded masses. So, head on in when you are in Manchester. You can find them at Deansgate.

When someone like Alessandro Michele makes a statement then it resonates througout the fashion world. His ode to all this worthy of Gucci bling is now as infamous as famous. Hate it or love it, his vision is one of glitter and logos, a world that looks back at the past, while forging ahead bravely, accepting all forms of beauty and not only the airbrushed campaigns that we see in glossy magazines.
Taking this stance is the above streetstyler spotted in Manchester, who was on a clear style mission with the cross-body messenger, bleached hair and psychedelic t-shirt. It ticks all the right boxes for me, a cool look that is worth its street grit.

A tiffin takes me back to my childhood where my grandmother would pack these stainless steel boxes with goodies for my grandfather. It would not be just any lunch but, a feast for the eyes, each tiny compartment featuring a different dish that would still be warm, thanks to the metal casing...and that memory followed me into The Indian Tiffin Room, the brainchild of two southern Indian students, Suresh Raje Urs and Srini Sundaram in Manchester where I was curious to see exactly what was on offer.

The drinks, taken at the bar, were wonderful. I chose a smoky concoction that made me wonder how the idea came about to create something so utterly different. Jürgen chose the 'Calcutta Green' which was just the right side of boozy with Hendricks Gin and cool enough thanks to the mint and cucumber.

Fast forward to starters of dosa and two amazing curries as mains. The food was just perfect with delicate spicing and just the right amount of heat...add to this the wonderful installations above us, including deconstructed tiffin tins and cycle parts, this location is creative without trying too hard, festive without being tacky. The menu will also not disappoint die-hard vegetarians or vegans. There is enough to choose from and you are going to feel as though you have been all over India by the time you finish...from puris to kebabs...from bajji to idly...you will be spoilt for choice.

We left very satisfied and next time we are in Manchester, we will definitely be back for another round!

What a feeling to have new material for you...and this time we start on the Manchester file, a city that opened itself up to me so easily with its charming people and welcoming attitude...no stuck-up behaviour at all! This meant that it was so simple to do a good bit of streetstyle spotting for you as well as sample some amazing food. So, let's get cracking!